Conveyer driving control



G. TODD March 22, 1938.

' CONVEYER DRIVING CONTROL Original Filed May 20, 1955 Sheets-Sheet 1 SW1 JMQM Arid/Mfrs G. TODD CONVEYER DRIVING CONTROL March 22, 1938.

Original F'iled May 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reissued Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20,675 comma nmvnvc coN'rnoL Guerin Todd. Red Bank, N.- 1., assignor to Hanson-Van Winkle-Manning Company, Matawan, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey 9 Claims.

This invention relates to electro-plating apparatus, and in particular, to devices for causing the articles in such apparatus to be subjected to a reciprocating motion, together with a travel generally in one direction.

One object of this invention is to provide an electro-processing machine, wherein the work carrier is given a reversing motion so as to cause the work-pieces to movebackward and forward within the solution.

Another object is to provide devices for providing such a forward and reverse motion to the workpiece, the motion in one direction being greater than that in the other so that the workpiece slowly travels through the solution in one general direction, while being moved to and fro in the solution.

Another object is to provide an electro-processing machine of the conveyer chain type, wherein the conveyer chain travels in an orbital path, the apparatus being provided with independently driven transfer devices for transferring the workpieces from one tank to another, the conveyer chain being provided with means for causing it amounts.

Another object is to provide an electro-proceasing machine having an endless conveyer chain mounted to convey work-pieces through various solutions, the chain being driven'by mechanism which imparts a reciprocating motion to the chain, together with a general motion in one direction, and transfer devices for transferring the work-pieces from one tank portion over the parttion or wall thereof into another tank portion.

Another object isto provide an electrical timing device for operating an electro-processing machine of the above-described type, this electrical timing device having means for causing the driving motor of the apparatus to operate a greater length of time in one direction than in another, thereby providing a reciprocation of the conveyer chain driven thereby, together with a resultant motion in one direction.

. Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a circuit and apparatusfor imparting a reciprocating motion mechanism. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the timing device shown in Figure 1. I

Figure 31s a transverse section along the line 1-4 of Hgurc'2. I a

to move forward and backward in unequal Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of timing device.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of timing device from that shown in Figures 1 and 4. r 5

Figure 6 is an end elevation of Figure 5, looking toward the right-hand side thereof.

Figure '7 is a modified circuit similar to that shown in Figure 1,,but having a variable speed reduction unit incorporated with the timing device.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through an electro-processing machine with transfer conveyer mechanism, showing the work-pieces being conveyed through different tanks and transferred between tanks by transfer mechanism.

Figure 9 isa transverse section along. the line 9-8 of Figure 8.

Hitherto, whether in the single tank conveyer type or transfer conveyer type of machine, the speed at which it was necessary to move the work through the various solutions was always less than the speed desirable for freeing the work from the gas bubbles which collect upon it during treatment. The time of treatment is fixed by the thickness of the deposit to be obtained, and the length'of the treatment tank is fixed by the number of work-pieces that are to be treated in that time. The speed of the chain in feet per minute is thus the tank length in feet divided by the time in minutes. In commercial practice the chain speed is generally from one to three feet per minutes, wheeras a speed of not less than five feet per minutes would produce more satisfactory results, as it would wash of! gas bubbles and particles of matter in the solution, as well as cause a rapid change of the solution in contact with the objects being plated.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows a single tank conveyer type of machine with a circuit adapted to provide the reciprocating motion, together with the resultant motion in one direction, as created by the apparatus of this invention. In Figure 1 the electro-processing tank l is provided with a suitable liquid in which 45 is immersed the work-piece 2 carried on the ,work carrier 3. The latter, in turn, is mounted upon the work-carrying pins I carried by the conveyer chain 5. g

The conveyer chain 5 is arranged to move in an orbital path and is supported upon sprockets I and 1 at each end of the orbit. The sprocket 1 is supported as an idler upon the shaft 8, where-. as the driving sprocket a is mounted upon the v shaft 9., This receives power. from the gearbox III, which in turn, receives power from the drive shaft ll of the reversible motor I2. The motor is of the three-phase, reversible type, and is controlled, as to reversal, by a magnetic reverser, generally designated l3, and having the solenoidal operatingcoils 4 and I5, respectively. To these operating coils are connected the armatures l8 and I1, arranged to operate the switch rods l8 and I9. Mounted on the switch rod l8 are the contractor switch blades 28, 2|, 22 and 23, whereas similarly mounted upon the switch rod |9 are the contractor switch blades 24, 25, 26 and 21.

The motor receives power from the magnetic reverser by way of the lines 28, 29 and 30, whereas the reverser receives power from a main switch box 3| by way of the lines 32, 33 and 34. The external power lines are indicated by the numerals 35, 36 and 31. A branch line 38 transmits current from the line 33 to one pole of the solenoidal windings I4 and I5, the opposite poles of whichare cross-connected to the upper switch blades 28 and 24, respectively, by the lines 39 and 40.

From the main switch box 3| run the lines 4| and 42 to the synchronous timing motor 43 of the timing device, generally designated 44, The synchronous motor 43 on its shaft 45 carries a gear 46, which transmits power to a gear 48 by way of the idler gear 41 arranged there-between. The gear 48 is mounted upon the shaft 49 of the timer, generally designated 50. The timer 58, shown in enlarged view in Figure 2, consists of an insulating drum. 5| mounted upon the shaft 49 and carrying on its periphery a pair of irregularly shaped segmental shells 52 and 53. The drum 5| is'preferably of bakelite or some other similar material. The segment 53 is connected by the conductor 54 to the collector ring 55, whereas the segment 52 is similarly connected by the conductor 56 to the collector ring 51. The collector rings and 51 are mounted in insulated relationship upon the drive shaft 49.

Referring again to Figure 1, the collector rings 55 and 51 of the timer 50 are engaged by brushes 58 and 59, respectively, whereas the central segments 52 and 53 'are engagedby a brush 68. The brush 59,.as shown by the double-headed rotor, is adjustable longitudinally along the timer. The

brush 50 receives current from the power line 32 j equal peripheral extent, pass beneath the central -ment 52 under the central brush 60, the current passes from the latter to the collector ring 51,

deenergizing the operating coil l4, dropping its switch rod I8 and energizing the operating coil I5 through the switch blade 20. This action causes current to be received reversely by the motor. l2,

reversing the direction of rotation thereof and accordingly'reversing thedirection of motion of the conveyer chain 5.

It will be seen, however, that the peripheral extent of thesegment 52 is much less than that of the segment 53, hence, the conveyer chain 5 will be operated a greater distance in one direction than in the other. Thus,- the work-piece 2 will be given a reciprocating motion, having a greater extent in one direction than in the other, giving a reciprocation with a resultant motion in one direction.

By moving the central brush 6|l relatively to the segments 52 and 53 in a longitudinal direction the proportionate period of engagement of the segment 53 compared with the segment 52 may be varied. By moving the brush 58 to the left (Figure 1) for example, the disparityof motion between the opposite directions is increased because hand direction the opposite effect is obtained.

Instead of the timer, generally indicated by the 7 reference numeral 58 (Figure 1) a modified form of timer, shown in Figure 4, may be employed. In this modified form the gear 48 on the synchronous motor shaft 45 drives a pinion 18 upon a shaft 1|, which also carries the gear 12. The latter, in turn. meshes with the pinion 13 mounted upon the shaft 14. The latter carries the disc 15 with the crank pin 15 thereon. On the crank pin 18 is pivotally mounted the connecting rod 11, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected, as at 18, to a reciprocating member 19. On the reciprocating member 19 is mounted a pair of plates 89 and 8|, insulated from one another, the member 19 being preferably of insulating material. The plate 89 is provided with an electrical conductor 82 to convey current therefrom, whereas the plate 8| has a similar electrical conductor 83. These two electrical conductors are in pigtail form to enable a flexible connection during the reciprocation of the plates.

Arranged to engage the plates is a brush 84 mounted on the arm 85, pivoted as at 85, to a support 81. The support 81 carries a quadrant, having an arcuate slot 89 therein. The arm 85 is provided with-a clamp screw 98, engaging the arcuate slot 89 and serving to clamp the arm 85 in any desired position around its pivot 88. By suitably adjusting the arm 85 the position of the brush 84 relative to the plates 88 and BI may be varied.

When the shaft 45 of the synchronous motor 43 is rotated the connecting rod 11 obviously reciprocates, likewise causing a reciprocation of the reciprocating member 19. Under these conditions the brush 84 alternately engages plates and 8| for different periods of time. Current is supplied to the brush 84 through the line 8| and passes outward either through the conductor 82 or the'conductor 83 .for different periods of time, as determined by the angular adjustment of the arm upon the quadrant 88.

The apparatus shown in Figure 4 is electrically connected in a manner similar to that of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, and produces a similar effect upon the reciprocation of the conveyer chain 5 by operating the motor l2 in a reversing cycle through diflerent periods of time.

The modified form. of timing device shown in Figure 5 is driven through a trainof gears and a connecting'rod, generally designated 11, in

, a manner similar to that of Figure 4, described above. The connecting rod 11 is provided with an adjustment 9|, whereby the effective length of the connecting rod 11 may be adjusted between the axis of the crank pin 18 and the pivot pin 92, where it is connected to them 93 of a cam 94.

Thecam 04 is pivotally mounted, as at 05, and has on its periphery a cam surface 06, of a configuration suitable for the switch-shifting purpose described-below.

Arranged to engage the cam surface .00 is a follower I (Figure mounted upon an arm IOI urged thereagainst by the spring I02 having ananchorage I03. The arm IN is attached to a plate I00 having clips I00 for holding a mercury switch tube I01. The plate I05 is pivotally mounted, as at. I00, upon a support I03. The mercury switch I01 is provided with a central pole H0 and end poles III and III, respectively.

In the operation of the modified construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 the cam 04 will be oscillated to and fro by the connecting rod IL'and the mercury switch I01 will be tilted first in one direction and then in the opposite direction as the.

than in the other. This, in turn, causes the motor II to be operated a longer period of time in one direction than in the other.

The modified form of timing device shown in Figure '7 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and like numerals denote similar parts. In the Fig-.

ure "I construction, however, the gear train is replaced by a variable speed reduction unit I20, having an adjusting wheel III. This variable speed reduction unit is of a conventional type, the details of which form no part of the present invention. By adjusting the wheel III the speed.

, obtained from the shaft I22 thereof and applied to the timing device may be varied so that the ultimate speed of travel of the conveyer chain may be varied as well as the proportionate travel in its opposite direction of travel.

The electro-processing apparatus shown in Figures 8 and 9 illustrates the application of the timingdevice of this invention to the transfer conveyer type of machine. This machine consists of an arrangement having a series of different tanks'with transfer mechanism for raising the work-pieces over the partitions between tanks. In such apparatus there is ordinarily an ,empty space left when a work-piece is raised over the partition from one tank to the next tank,

because the transfer mechanism ordinarily works at a more rapid rate than the conveyer chain. By the use of the timingdevice of this invention to reciprocate the conveyer chain, however," this waste space may be utilized for the motion of the work-pieces. In this manner the effective length of the tank may be increased and the speed of motion of the work-pieces also increased thereby increasing the elimination of the gas bubbles which otherwise collect upon the work-pieces.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 8 and. 9

the work-p eces, by the reciprocation, can be" given an effectively high speed for eliminating the gas bubbles, and atthe same time the resultant onward travel of the work-piece is suflie ciently small to accommodate it to the mechanical.

limitations of the apparatus. The length of the conveyer for an eiectroprocessing machine is ordinarily .determined by the number of pieces to be processed and the time required to obtain the desired thickness of plated coating. To this end the apparatus in. Figures 8 and 9 consists of a plurality of tanks I30, I3I and I32 arranged in an orbital path, and having work-pieces I33 immersed in the liquid therein. The work-pieces I33 are suspended from work carriers I34 having arms I35 with apertures I36 adapted to slip over pins I31, spaced at intervals along the endless conveyer chain I30. The latter moves in an orbital path in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with Figure 1.

The transfer mechanism arranged adjacent each partition between tanks consists of an orbital guide frame I39, having a guideway I40 in which moves the, follower I on a pin I42 in the end of a rod I43. The upper ends of the work holders I34 are provided with downwardly opening yoked portions or sockets I44 adapted to be engaged by the outer end of the pin I42. The rod I43 is mounted for reciprocation in the guideways I45 of the cradle I 40, the latter being attached to the transVerse Shaft I" having the bevel gear I40 driven by, the bevel gear. I49 on the longitudinal shaft I50.

The longitudinal shaft I50 is driven independently of the conveyer chain I38 but in timed relationship therewith so that the rod I43 will arrive at the proper position for engaging the socketed portion I44 of the work carrier I34 when the latter arrives opposite the left-hand lower comer of the guide frame I39. The rod I43 simultaneously reciprocates and sweeps through an angular path in a clockwise direction, while its follower I4I moves around the orbital path formed by the guideway I40.

The conveyer chain I30 .is reciprocated in alternate forward and reverse directions of unequal extent, in.the manner previously described in connection with Figure 1, so that the work holders I34 with their work-pieces I33 are enabled to move to and fro through the entire space within the tank I30, I 3I or I32. The chain I38 thus moves forward, backward and forward again between each operation of the transfer mechanism so that the spaces otherwise empty at the ends of the tanks are fully utilized.

It will be understood that it is desired to comprehend within thisinvention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention, 1

It will be further understood that in place of the reversible motor, reversing devices may be used for'reversing the direction of power from a non-reversible motor to the conveyer chain, these devices being operated by the timing devices of the present invention.

It will be further understood that in place of the arcuate adjustment of the arm 85, in Figure 4, a linear adjustment may be provided to vary the position of the brush 84..

Having thus fully described my invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an eiectro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain having means associated therewith for. supporting work-pieces, a tank arranged to receive saidwork-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electricalmeans for operating said reverser, acurrent distributor connected to said reverser andliaving a plurality of conductors insulated from one another, acontact member arranged to engage said conductors,

and means for moving said conductors and said contact member into alternate engagement with one another whereby to move said chain alternately in opposite directions.

2. In an electro-proc'essing machine, an endless work-conveying chain having means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a tank arranged to receive said work-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating said reverser, a current distributor connected to said reverser-and having a plurality of conductors insulated from one another, a contact member arranged to engage said conductors,

and means for moving said conductors and said contact member into alternate engagementwith one another for different proportionate periods of time is each cycle of motion whereby to move said chain to and fro alternately in opposite directions but with a resultant progressive motion in a single direction.

3. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain having means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a tank arranged to receive said work-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating saidreverser, a current distributor connected to said reverser, a synchronous motor for operating said current distributor, said current distributor having a plurality of conductors insulated from one another, a contact member 'arranged to engage said conductors, and means for moving said conductors and said contact member into alternate engagement with one another whereby to operate said chain alternately in opposite directions.

4. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain having, means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a tank arrangedto receive said work-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain,

electrical means for operating said reverser, a

timing drum having segments of. unequal peripheral extent electrically connected to. said reverser, an electrical contact member arranged to engage said segments, and means for rotating-said timing drum whereby to bring said segments alternately member.

5. In an electro-processing machine, an end-. less work-conveying chain having means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a

tank arranged to receive said work-pieces, a

motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion ofsaid chain, electrical means for operating said reverser, a timing drum having segments of unequal peripheral extent electrically connected to said reverser, an electrical contact member arranged to engage said segments, and means for rotating said timing drum to bring said segments alterinto engagement with said contact 'nately into engagement with said contact member, said timing drum and said electrical contact member being adjustable axially with respect to one another whereby to vary the proportionate periods of contact of said segments with said electrical contact member.

6. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-carrying chain having means associated therewith for supporting work-pieces, a tank arranged to receive said Work-pieces, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means including a circuit for operating said reverser, a double-throw switch in said circuit and arranged to control the actuation of said electrical means, mechanism to close' said switch alternatelyin its two positions, and means to adjust said switch-closing mechanism whereby to vary the relative period of closure in each position.

7. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-eonveying chain, a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating said reverser for diiierent distances of alternate reciprocation, a plurality of tank portions arranged along the path of said chain, work-transfer devices at the partitions between said tanks, and means for driving said worktransfer devices independently of said alternately reciprocable chain but in timed relationship therewith.

8. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain, "a motor for driving said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating said reverser'for different distances of alternate reciprocation, a plurality of tank portions arranged along the path of said chain, work-transfer devices at the partitions between said tanks, and means for driving said worktransfer devices independently of said alternately reciprocable chain but in timed relationship therewith, said work-transfer devices being ar- *ranged to engage the work-pieces conveyed by said chain when said work-pieces arrive at the partition between successive tanks.

9. In an electro-processing machine, an endless work-conveying chain, a motor for driving a said chain, a reverser for reversing the direction of motion of said chain, electrical means for operating said reverser for diiierent distances of 

